Whale Source

Category: Civil Architecture > Spring / Fountain

District: Leiria > Peniche > Ferrel

Location

In the picturesque locality of Ferrel, belonging to the municipality of Peniche, in the district of Leiria, the Whale Fountain is discreetly integrated into its environment. Located in the heart of this community, which still retains traces of its fishing and rural identity, the fountain serves as a serene point of reference, a testament to the daily life of yesteryear. Its presence recalls the importance of water in a time when it was an essential commodity, obtained directly from the earth for the enjoyment of the local population.

Evocative Name

The name Fonte da Baleia (Whale Fountain) suggests an intrinsic connection to the vast ocean that bathes the coast of Peniche. It is plausible that this designation is due to the existence, in its structural body, of a sculptural or decorative element representing a whale, or that it is a tribute to a historical memory linked to the presence of these imposing cetaceans in the region. This marine symbolism, if present in its structure, reflects the community's deep dependence on and relationship with the sea, being an echo of its traditions, its daily life, and its proximity to maritime life.

Legacy and Function

Historically, public fountains played a vital role in the life of communities. Before the arrival of piped water to homes, the Fonte da Baleia would have been a central point for the supply of drinking water for the residents of Ferrel. More than just a simple water collection point, these places were also meeting and socialization points, where news was shared, conversations were exchanged, and community ties were built. The simplicity of its architecture, typical of utilitarian civil works, contrasts with the richness of its social importance and the memory of the times when the life of a village revolved around these essential points.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt